Brightstar in Lake in the Hills, IL

Pros

• Alexis is described as consistently on time, in a good mood, and going above and beyond to meet her client's needs.
• Kelly is praised for engaging mom in crafts and creating joyful visits with plenty of laughter.
• BrightStar Care is described by clients as competent, professional, skilled, personable, and passionate about their work.
• The BrightStar team - including Karen, Gina, Stephanie, and Rebecca - is described as thorough, caring, and responsive.
• Caregivers such as Nikki, Rebecca, Melissa, Jessica, Kaitlin, and Caitlin are described as wonderful and highly helpful.
• The office staff are commended for being responsive, organized, and easy to work with.
• BrightStar is viewed as a true partner in care, capable of adapting plans as loved ones' needs change.
• Families report that caregivers treat their loved ones like family and provide compassionate companionship.
• Nurses and CNAs such as Lily and Tashina are described as extraordinary in their care, especially in hospice and end-of-life moments.
• BrightStar is repeatedly praised for going above and beyond, including flexible scheduling and prompt problem-solving.
• Clients feel a sense of relief and peace knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

Cons

• Lawrence has been slacking very bad lately and not much has been getting done.
• On Valentine's Day, Lawrence arrived late as usual and left my father to shower by himself, and my father fell.
• He spent about half an hour or less helping my dad with a shower, far less than what was needed during four-hour visits.
• Lawrence has been late over eleven times since December.
• The downstairs area was unsanitary, and the reviewer blames Lawrence for not cleaning up after my father.
• The company is not helpful and won't tell what was said or come out to assess the situation.
• The reviewer feels this is a very poor way to treat a veteran.
• The VA stopped providing service through the company due to unsanitary conditions attributed to Lawrence.

Review

BrightStar Care in Lake in the Hills is best suited for families that want robust, adaptable in?home support for a loved one who prefers to stay at home but needs daily assistance, reminders, light housekeeping, and meaningful companionship. The model works best when a true partner in care is sought - someone who can coordinate with physicians, therapists, and hospice, and adjust plans as health needs evolve. Those who prioritize a self-contained, on-site community with 24/7 supervision and built?in programming may want to explore assisted living or a provider with more rigid scheduling guarantees, as that format can better match a fixed care team and a more structured daily routine.

Across many engagements, BrightStar caregivers stand out for competence, professionalism, and genuine warmth. Clients repeatedly note punctuality, kindness, and a readiness to handle not only essential tasks but the small comforts that improve daily life - grocery coordination, guided exercise, and real companionship. The onboarding process, led by Karen and Gina with strong scheduling support from Stephanie, generally yields well?matched caregivers who feel like part of the household. The office team sustains steady communication, coordinates with healthcare providers, and flexes schedules when needs shift, delivering real relief to families navigating complex care.

Not every experience stays flawless, and occasional gaps remind families to stay actively involved. One documented case described a caregiver arriving late and not completing expected tasks, which triggered concerns about reliability and even led to VA reassessment. Such episodes highlight that the quality of care can hinge on individual caregivers and scheduling consistency. BrightStar counters these issues with swift staffing adjustments, caregiver substitutions when needed, and transparent dialogue with clients and power of attorney. A billing nuance - credit?card processing fees - adds a cost consideration, but it is typically disclosed in advance and should be weighed against the care quality received.

The breadth of services here is practical and capable: daily living assistance, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, transportation to appointments, and careful coordination with medical teams. The agency has repeatedly demonstrated capacity to support dementia, Parkinson's disease, post?surgery recovery, and hospice transitions, with caregivers who become trusted extensions of the family network. Longstanding relationships and caregiver stability contribute to a sense of safety and reliability, and when the right match is found, families report meaningful improvements in routines, safety, and overall well?being. For many, BrightStar turns a daunting caregiving load into manageable, predictable days.

Explicitly, this model may be less ideal for families seeking a fixed, unchanging caregiver roster or a lively on-site community with constant social programming. If the priority is a traditional assisted living environment or if a firm, all?in budgeting approach is essential, alternatives should be explored and compared. The same caveats apply to those who require guaranteed weekend coverage without variability, or who want to avoid any billing surprises. BrightStar excels when care needs are fluid and the goal is a collaborative, at?home care setup, but the best fit depends on whether a home?care partnership or a facility?based solution better aligns with the loved one's preferences and the family's resources.

In sum, BrightStar Care stands out for delivering dependable, compassionate in?home support that scales with evolving needs and lightens family burdens. It is a practical, strong choice for families who value leadership, meticulous caregiver matching, and responsive scheduling, backed by a network of caregivers who frequently become trusted members of the household. To maximize success, initiate a thorough intake with Karen and Gina, lock in continuity preferences, request a trial period with a preferred caregiver, and clarify weekend coverage and escalation procedures upfront. A deliberate, proactive approach will harness BrightStar's strengths and help secure the strongest possible fit for a loved one's daily life.

Lake in the Hills, Illinois is a vibrant and convenient location for seniors looking to settle down. With a variety of restaurants such as Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Antigua within close proximity, you can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. The area also boasts several parks like Sunset Park and Lippold Park where you can take leisurely strolls or relax outdoors. For medical needs, there are several pharmacies and physicians nearby, including OrthoIllinois and Children's Medical Group for specialized care. Additionally, transportation options like Metra are easily accessible for those who may not drive. Overall, Lake in the Hills offers a mix of amenities that cater to seniors seeking comfort and convenience in their daily lives.

Restaurants

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• Antigua (2.3 miles)
• Fire Bar & Grill (2.4 miles)
• Pub 47 Grill (2.7 miles)
• Papa G's (2.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.9 miles)
• Huntley Dairy Mart (3 miles)

Parks

• Sunset Park (0.7 miles)
• Four Colonies Park (1.7 miles)
• Lippold Park (3.2 miles)
• Spella Park (3.3 miles)
• Barbara Key Park (3.6 miles)
• Deicke Park (3.7 miles)
• Larsen Park (3.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Chung S. Rim, MD (1.8 miles)
• Amir J. Heydari, MD (1.8 miles)
• OrthoIllinois (2.7 miles)
• Simpson Eye Associates (2.8 miles)
• Northwest Pediatric Neurology (2.8 miles)
• Huntley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (3.7 miles)
• Children's Medical Group (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Daily Projects (3 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Sherman Hospital Immediate Care (3.3 miles)
• Vitalant Blood Donation- Crystal Lake (4.7 miles)
• Centegra Memorial Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Centegra Health System (5.2 miles)
• Centegra Hospital (5.2 miles)
• Memorial Emergency Medical Center (5.2 miles)

Transportation

• Metra (4.5 miles)